Railroad Development

The federal government gave land and made loans to the railroad companies. Why was the government so eager to promote the growth of railroads?

Railroads made it possible to expand out west, however, the creation of railroads led to corruption in the nation. The American government realized that expansion out west was necessary, but many lives were sacrificed on the way to expanding America. Businesses would profit from the demand of coal, steel, glass, and iron, which railroads needed. New markets and businesses would be created from the new towns out west. Railroads promoted trade and interdependence.